Fitting tribute to power workers

A team of electricity substation ‘fitters’ whose work keeps the lights on in their communities have won an award for their dedicated service.

Jack Rees, from Croydon, Mick Mathews, from Kingswood and James Game, from Woking, install, connect and maintain substation equipment that delivers power supplies to homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.

They were recognised by their employer, UK Power Networks, at a company award ceremony in London for the teams who keep the lights on for 8.3million customers across the South East, London and East of England.

They won the Fitting Trio category for putting customers first, being excellent role models to apprentices, going out of their way to assist colleagues and delivering great results.

Jack said: “I was very surprised because I only joined the company as an apprentice four years ago and sometimes people don’t get nominated in their whole career.

“We keep the lights on by keeping electricity substations up and running. We maintain and repair the equipment and make sure it is working. We work from Reigate and Redhill right up to Norwood and Thornton Heath. It’s a big area, serving thousands of customers.

“The team works well. Mick has so much experience, I came from the apprenticeship and James joined us in January from an electrical background and brings a new perspective.”

Mick said: “I was really surprised to win this award. I joined the company in 1983. The job is always varied and changing, it’s not like doing the same job for 35 years, it’s really interesting.”

James added: “I joined the company in January and every day is completely different. It’s a good team, we take pride in our work and always aim to complete each job to high standards.”

Their manager, Mark Burgess, an engineering team leader, who nominated the team said: “The team is led by Jack, who only came out of his apprenticeship last year. They maintain 11,000-volt switchgear and transformers to keep power flowing to customers, so it’s an important role which serves their local communities.”